§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the amount of levy paid to the Construction Industry training board by companies with an annual payroll of (a) £1 million to £10 million, (b) £11 million to £50 million, (c) £51 million to £100 million, (d) £101 million to £200 51W million, and (e) over £200 million; and what was the average training grant received back as a percentage of all levy by each payroll group.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI have asked the Construction Industry training board to provide the information in the form requested, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible. I shall also place a copy of my letter in the Library.
§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will implement the proposals recommended by the Construction Industry training board working party for a levy system based on payroll rather than per capita; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make it his policy that the Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 1984 is drafted in line with the recommendations of the Construction Industry training board working party and based on a payroll basis rather than a per capita basis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonMy right hon. Friend is required by the Industrial Training Act 1982 to consider levy proposals put forward by the Construction Industry training board and subsequently approved by the Manpower Services Commission, and, if he is satisfied that the proposals are necessary to encourage adequate training in the industry, to approve the making of a levy order. The proposals received in this manner for the current year include provision for a per-capita based occupational levy.
The proposals for an alternative form of levy put forward by the Construction Industry training board's working party have not subsequently been accepted as board policy. My right hon. Friend and I have consistently stressed that it is for the board itself to agree on these matters.